Spinal cord stimulation for Raynaud's syndrome: long-term alleviation of bilateral pain with a single cervical lead.

INTRODUCTION

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been described in a variety of neuropathic and vasospastic pain conditions including Raynaud's syndrome.

METHODS

We report here the outcome of single lead SCS in the case of a 49-year-old woman with severe Raynaud's syndrome, which had failed to respond to medical therapy.

RESULTS

With a single quadripolar cervical lead in midline position at the C2/C3 level sustained pain relief of the bilateral pain was accomplished. Pain scores sank from 7/10 to 2-3/10 on the nominal analog scale and remained stable more than nearly four years by now.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of bilateral pain in Raynaud's syndrome with SCS in a single technique is feasible. Advantages and disadvantages as compared with stimulation with bilateral leads are discussed.